Yet another chapter was added to the book of bewildering score reviews, when a Luke Breust snap goal was mysteriously overturned during the second quarter. The video umpire's conundrum centred around whether or not the Hawthorn small forward's kick had brushed the forearm of North Melbourne defender Jamie Macmillan on its way through. Although replays from several angles showed no clear evidence that Macmillan had touched the ball, the goal umpire's decision was overturned and Breust awarded a behind only.
2. No repeat of 'Buddy' and 'Maj' heroics
Much interest approaching the match centred around two exciting key forwards at opposing ends of the ground. But neither Lance Franklin – after his 13 goals against North Melbourne last year – nor Majak Daw – following on from his brief but dynamic debut last week – could take a stranglehold on the match. Franklin was well held by the in-form Scott Thompson, registering just 12 disposals (including none in the second quarter) and 0.5. It was just the 14th time in his 166-game career that Franklin had gone goalless, six of those having come in his debut season of 2005. Daw finished with seven disposals and seven hit-outs, and kicked 0.3, before being subbed out at three-quarter time. The athletic Kangaroo did provide one highlight, however, showing a blistering turn of speed to chase down Shaun Burgoyne in the first quarter. The resulting turnover led to a North Melbourne goal.
3. Rioli and Thomas show ends badly
With the big forwards failing to fire (alongside Franklin and Daw, Jarryd Roughead and Drew Petrie also had quiet days), it was the small forwards who took it upon themselves to drive their teams towards victory. North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas went to the outright lead in the Coleman Medal race, his five-goal haul taking his tally for the season to 21. He was almost matched by Cyril Rioli, whose four goals included three in the third quarter, lifting the Hawks out of a slump. Rioli's day ended in disaster however, when he strained his right hamstring midway through the final quarter.
4. Franklin tackle sparks brouhaha
Although he didn't touch the ball in the second quarter, Franklin did impose himself sufficiently to spark a scuffle that involved around half of the players on the ground. The trouble started when the big Hawthorn forward tackled Macmillan to the ground in the forward pocket after the Kangaroos backman had kicked. The pair wrestled on the ground, and were quickly joined by Franklin's direct opponent Thompson, before players from both sides rushed in. The incident is sure to see a hefty collection of fines handed out by the Match Review Panel on Monday.
5. Bailey doubles career goal tally
Max Bailey has never been known as a spearhead, but he surprised everyone at the MCG with a blistering start to the match. The Hawthorn big man had kicked just three career goals before Sunday, but doubled that tally inside the first quarter. Bailey's hot start didn't last, however. He was subbed from the game in the third quarter as the Hawks looked for more run, with three goals still against his name.
